Peptide selection by MHC class I molecules.

Synthetic peptides have been used to sensitize target cells and thereby screen for epitopes recognized by T cells. Most epitopes of cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be mimicked by synthetic peptides of 12-15 amino acids. Although in specific cases, truncations of peptides improves sensitization of target cells, no optimum length for binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules has been defined. We have now analysed synthetic peptide captured by empty MHC class I molecules of the mutant cell line RMA-S. We found that class I molecules preferentially bound short peptides (nine amino acids) and selectively bound these peptides even when they were a minor component in a mixture of longer peptides. These results may help to explain the difference in size restriction of T-cell epitopes between experiments with synthetic peptides and those with naturally processed peptides.     

Influence of atmospheric factors on the rheumatic diseases

There appears to be ample evidence to conclude that various meteorological factors do exert a significant impact on some people with various rheumatic diseases. The data is, however, crude relative to our general understanding. Most of this research on RA has dealt with the primary signs and symptoms of inflammation. We know, however, many of the chemical mediators of inflammation. It seems like a logical progression of research to determine the effects of the meteorological/atmospheric factors of concern on these specific intrinsic mediators of inflammation. In general, gout can be very well controlled through medication. The evidence suggests, however, that we may gain a much better understanding of how atmospheric factors such as temperature can effect the body through changes in its physico-chemical processes by using Gout as a model. The work with SLE has already yielded useful applications. Sun screening pharmaceuticals have been quite successful in reducing exacerbations of symptoms. But we don't know why only some people are photosensitive. The previous research on the effects of atmospheric factors on the rheumatic diseases has illustrated key issues in methodology: large sample sizes are critical, objective and quantifiable disease variables are important, the variables measured must be specific to the questions investigated, the diseases investigated must be as specifically and accurately defined as possible, and the various aspects of 'weather' to be investigated must be specifically defined and quantified. It is apparent that there is much more important and useful work to be performed before we can understand the effects of atmospheric factors on the rheumatic diseases.     

Pigeon milk: A new source of growth factor

Crude, partially purified and purified fractions of pigeon milk injected subcutaneously in newborn mice brought about precocious opening of eyelids by 2–3 days and eruption of incisors by 3–4 days. The biological activity of pigeon milk-derived growth factor (PMGF) compared well with that of mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF).     

Epstein-Barr virus transforms precursor B cells even before immunoglobulin gene rearrangements

The very early stages of the human B-cell differentiation pathway are poorly understood, primarily because of the lack of appropriate permanent cell lines. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a putative human oncogenic virus which transforms human B cells in vitro into continuously proliferating cells. It has been believed that EBV transforms mature B cells, but recently, transformation of immature pre-B-cell lines has been reported, suggesting that EBV might also transform cells much earlier in the B-cell lineage. We report here the establishment of cell lines transformed by EBV at various stages of the B-cell differentiation pathway. Interestingly, two lines showed the complete absence of immunoglobulin synthesis and the lack of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement despite containing EBV genome and surface markers of B cells. Our results indicate that EBV can infect and transform cells of the B lymphocyte lineage even before immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.     

Phase response curve to anisomycin intau mutant hamsters

Administration of the protein synthesis inhibitor, anisomycin, to wild type hamsters produces phase shifts in their circadian rhythms that have similarities to shifts produced by non-photic behavioral stimulation. A mutation that shortens the period of rhythms in hamsters results in altered responsiveness to non-photic input. However, responses of the mutants to anisomycin are unaffected: their phase response curve (PRC) for anisomycin is similar to that of wild types. This suggests that 1) anisomycin is not acting on mechanisms specifically involved in non-photic behavioral phase shifting, and 2) the mutation affects the non-photic input pathway or the pacemaker itself at a point that is upstream from anisomycin's site of action.